The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-22
TALKS ON THE TARIFF.
Mr.. George Merritts Views on the Wool Tariff
Wool Culture and Manufactures.

Mr. George Merritt, OF this city, lie one of the
oldest wooden manufacturers in the West, and
has made a close study of the effects of tariff
legislation the wooden industry repre-
sentative of the Journal who called on Mr. Mer-
rift to get his views in regard to the Presidents
free-trade message, opened the subject by ask
ing, What has been the effect on the wool and
WOODEN industries of the tariff legislation Of 1888
by which the rate on wool and wooden goods was
reduced"
''The effect" said Mr. Merritt, has been to
increase the importation OF wool and woolens to
such extent that the tariff revenue from
these sources has been increased several million
dollars. 1t has made several branches of the
WOODEN industry Improbable and driven few
out of the market Ithas made sheep raising of SO
little profit that the focks of the country have
decreased six millions since 1883. while in the
same length OF time Immediately before that
legislation the sheep of this country had in
creased six millions, that we may fairly charge
the effect of that tariff reduction wool the
destruction of twelve millions of sheep that
would produce annually So. 600. 900 of wool
value.
Have the consumers of wooden goods seen
any decrease in the cost of clothing TO CORE
spond!'
II think not But see by the Treasury re-
ton the Importation of foreign wool has in
creased, 30 that eghty-nine million pc unds of
wool was imported more thanh the same length
of time previous that legislation. and / sup
pose that the foreign wool grower has been bon
Gifted by taking the fifteen millions of dollars out
of our farmers pockets and putting it into his. :"
'.Iu your opinion, what would be the effect of
placing wool on the free list as recommended by
the President"
at would destroy tie wool industry as such;
only 30 many sheep would be kept as were
needed mutton. N
States about forty-four million sheep; if wool is
placed the free list, l believe that in
five years the number will be reduced
that there will not be over fourteen millions left
thus causing a destruction of thirty millions OF
sheep and an annual wool value of forty millions
of dollars. Estimates of the number of sheep
that be supported one acre of ground
vary from to ten sheep per acre. Take five
the average and we have six million acres of
land devoted TO sheep that would then be
given over to the production of wheat.
cattle, none of which very we'll bear this
additional competition at this tune. To make
partial reduction in the tariff wool would
cause only portion of these evils but would in
the revenue and thus defeat the object
for which the change is recommended. This is
proven by the effect of the reduction of 1882
Hence the only method left By which we can re-
duce the surplus "a revenue this article is
to place it on the free list or to advance the
tariff rate to prohibit the Importation of
all kinds of wool that be profitably pro-
duced in this country and give to our own farm
all of this large business. This last method
is the one that [ think would best promote the
interests of country
IF the tariff wooden goods were removed
could our manufacturers compete with foreign
and continue to pay present wagesF
mo-" was the emphatic reply IF our man.
ufacturers are placed equality with for
eign manufacturers in all things, then
compete with them in most classes of wooden
goods, but that must include equality in
price of labor well everything else. This
proposition is self evident that can hardly
see why the 1uest ton should be asked The re-
duction in wages would be about 80 per cent in
the wooden industry if wool and woolens were
placed on the free list. a partial reduction in
the tariff rates on wooden goods would iucrease
the revenue from this source as shown before
am in favor of reducing the surplus ~ reve-
nue. by increasing the tariff duties on every
thing we produce in this country, and keep
ing the American markets for Americans l
am in favor of further reducing that surplus by
i'm proving the public service. The Land Office is
over two years behind with its work. causing
great loss and annoyance to those having deal |
Iues with it The cause assigned Ia lack OF ap-
preparation to employ the necessary CLERKS.
Every department. of the government seems to |
be behind for the same l will give two
instances that have come under my notice At
the postofice in San Diego, Cal, casual patrons
can only get their mail by standing In line and
waiting for their turn from two hours.
Cause assigned, lack of appropriation. In
own city on the west end of Washinton street.
m manufacturers have only two daily dev-
cries of mail matter, whereas three years ago
they had four daily deliveries and collections.
Let the government bring up the work IN all de-
partnents to the highest standard of perfection